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How do you keep your Macs in sync?

cogsIf you use multiple Macs on a regular basis, or perhaps even Macs and PCs, you have a problem of how do you keep the information on them in sync. The obvious choice, at least with Macs, is MobileMe, but I’ve always found the service slow and unreliable, especially in the Middle East.

I want to tell you briefly about how I keep four or five Macs and two PCs in sync.

In terms of files I use GetDropBox. Since Breandan wrote about this not long ago I won’t go over it again but I’ll mention a few things. It gives me a folder on each computer the content of which is automatically synced between all the computers and an online account. So I have access to the files from all computers as well as a web interface. I don’t keep all my files there but I have almost 40GB stored there by now. As a secondary backup, although it’s not synced between computers, I use Amazon S3.

For web browser bookmarks I use Xmarks (previously Foxmarks). It’s a free and simple download for Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer, which can sync your bookmarks between any number of computers. It works very well, works transparently in the background, and pretty much stays out of my way. For Firefox (not yet in Safari) it also syncs usernames and passwords making it even easier to work on multiple computers.

There you have two suggestions for how to keep multiple computers in sync. If you use multiple computers, what do you do to keep them in sync?

Filed Under: Blog

About the Author: I'm the Managing Editor of Shufflegazine and Shufflegazine.com. When there's time I also take care of our Tech Chat podcast, Facebook page, Twitter account and more. You can also listen to me on radio every week. Coming from an extensive career in higher education IT teaching I try to spread word about technology to readers in a way that is approachable and understandable for all.

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  1. Another tip for use with Dropbox: create a new Keychain in Keychain Access, and save it to a folder on your Dropbox. On any other Mac, add that Keychain to Keychain Access. Then, create Secure Notes within that Keychain. This allows you to have bank information and other sensitive data shared between your Mac’s, protected with Triple DES encryption.

  2. I’ve not used this software but it looks good – http://www.econtechnologies.com/pages/cs/chrono_overview.html – may be someone has tried it so any input will help?

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